Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has joined the chorus of conservatives backing former President Donald Trump and slamming President Joe Biden ahead of the November elections.
Speaking on the second day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, he said: “Our enemies do not confine their designs to between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., we need a commander in chief who can lead 24 hours a day and seven days a week.”
This point from DeSantis appeared to reference Biden saying — after his disastrous CNN debate versus Trump — that he just needs more rest and should stop holding events after 8 p.m.
“America cannot afford four more years of a ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’ presidency,” DeSantis said, drawing loud cheers from the audience and making Trump crack a smile.
“Weekend at Bernie’s” is a 1989 dark comedy about two insurance employees who try to conceal that their boss, Bernie, is dead while on a weekend retreat at his beach house in the Hamptons.
This joke from DeSantis was a clear jab at Biden’s health and fitness. There have been concerns, however — from Democratic lawmakers and donors alike — that Biden, who has had more than his fair share of gaffes in recent weeks, may not be the party’s best pick for 2024.
But Biden is hanging in there despite at least 18 House Democrats and one Democratic senator calling on him to step aside. Biden has also said he only plans to quit if he gets “hit by a train.”
While DeSantis is now voicing full-throated support for Trump, the two share a complicated history.
He started out as Trump’s protege and clinched a win for Florida governor in 2018 with Trump’s endorsement. Trump has credited himself with DeSantis’ win.
But their relationship soured after DeSantis embarked on a 2024 presidential run, posing a challenge to Trump.
Trump told reporters in November 2022: “I don’t think it’s nice.”
“I’m a very loyal person. So, I don’t understand disloyalty. I really don’t. But you see it. You do see disloyalty in politics,” he said.
Trump also gave DeSantis several nicknames, including “Ron DeSanctimonious.”
DeSantis quit the race in January after losing key support in early-voting states.
The two men may since have buried the hatchet. The Washington Post reported in April that they met in Florida at Miami’s Shell Bay Clu, where Trump sought DeSantis’ help with his presidential campaign fundraising. DeSantis said he was open to it, per The Post.
Representatives for DeSantis, Trump and Biden did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.
